Privacy Policy
1. Introduction
Mar Thoma Parish, Sharjah ("we", "our", "us" or "the Parish") respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal information of our parish members, visitors and website users.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store and protect your personal information when you visit or interact with our website, [www.marthomaparishsharjah.com](https://www.marthomaparishsharjah.com/).
By using our website, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.
2. Information We Collect
We may collect personal information when you interact with our website or communicate with the Parish. This information may include:
- Personal Information: Name, date of birth, gender and other basic identification details.
- Contact Information: Email address, mobile number, telephone number and residential address.
- Parish Information: Church membership details, parish ID, prayer group details and other relevant parish-related information.
- Application Information: Information submitted through Sunday School applications, membership forms, event registrations and other parish-related forms.
- Technical Information: IP address, browser type, device information and website usage data collected through cookies or similar technologies.
We only collect information that is reasonably necessary for the relevant parish activity or purpose.
3. How We Use Your Information
The information collected may be used for the following purposes:
- To respond to enquiries and provide information about parish activities.
- To manage parish membership and related administrative activities.
- To communicate announcements, worship schedules, events and other church-related information.
- To process registrations and applications for parish programmes and activities.
- To maintain parish records and facilitate communication with members.
- To improve our website, services and user experience.
- To comply with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
4. Sharing of Personal Information
Mar Thoma Parish, Sharjah does not sell or rent personal information to third parties.
Personal information may be shared with authorised parish representatives, office bearers or relevant church departments when necessary to carry out parish activities and administrative responsibilities.
We may also share information with trusted service providers, such as website hosting and technical support providers, where required to operate and maintain our website.
Information may also be disclosed when required by applicable laws, regulations or lawful requests from competent authorities.
5. Cookies and Website Analytics
Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to improve website functionality, understand visitor activity and enhance the browsing experience.
Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website.
You can manage or disable cookies through your browser settings. Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect some website functionalities.
6. Data Security
We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal information against unauthorised access, disclosure, alteration, loss or misuse.
Access to personal information is restricted to authorised individuals who require it for legitimate parish-related purposes.
However, no method of electronic transmission or storage can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
7. Data Retention
We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected, including parish administration, record keeping and applicable legal requirements.
When personal information is no longer required, we will take reasonable steps to securely delete or dispose of it, subject to applicable record-retention obligations.
8. Third-Party Websites and Services
Our website may contain links to external websites, social media platforms and third-party services for information and convenience.
We are not responsible for the privacy practices, content or security of these external websites. Users are encouraged to review the privacy policies of those websites before sharing any personal information.
9. Children's Privacy
Certain parish activities and programmes, including Sunday School and other children's activities, may require the collection of information relating to children.
Such information should be provided by parents or legal guardians, or collected with their appropriate involvement and consent.
We take reasonable care to ensure that children's personal information is handled appropriately and used only for relevant parish-related purposes.
10. Your Privacy Rights
Subject to applicable laws and regulations, you may have the right to:
- Request information about the personal data we hold about you.
- Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete personal information.
- Request deletion of personal information where legally permissible.
- Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.
- Raise concerns regarding the use of your personal information.
To exercise these rights, please contact the Parish using the contact details provided below.
11. Changes to This Privacy Policy
Mar Thoma Parish, Sharjah reserves the right to update or revise this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, website functionality or applicable legal requirements.
Any updates will be published on this page along with the revised date.
We encourage visitors to review this page periodically.
12. Contact Us
If you have any questions, concerns or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or the handling of your personal information, please contact us:
Mar Thoma Parish, Sharjah
Yarmook Area, Near Progressive School,
P.O. Box 2106, Sharjah,
United Arab Emirates.
Website: https://www.marthomaparishsharjah.com/
Mar Thoma Parish, Sharjah ("we", "our", "us" or "the Parish") respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal information of our parish members, visitors and website users.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store and protect your personal information when you visit or interact with our website, [www.marthomaparishsharjah.com](https://www.marthomaparishsharjah.com/).
By using our website, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.
2. Information We Collect
We may collect personal information when you interact with our website or communicate with the Parish. This information may include:
- Personal Information: Name, date of birth, gender and other basic identification details.
- Contact Information: Email address, mobile number, telephone number and residential address.
- Parish Information: Church membership details, parish ID, prayer group details and other relevant parish-related information.
- Application Information: Information submitted through Sunday School applications, membership forms, event registrations and other parish-related forms.
- Technical Information: IP address, browser type, device information and website usage data collected through cookies or similar technologies.
We only collect information that is reasonably necessary for the relevant parish activity or purpose.
3. How We Use Your Information
The information collected may be used for the following purposes:
- To respond to enquiries and provide information about parish activities.
- To manage parish membership and related administrative activities.
- To communicate announcements, worship schedules, events and other church-related information.
- To process registrations and applications for parish programmes and activities.
- To maintain parish records and facilitate communication with members.
- To improve our website, services and user experience.
- To comply with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
4. Sharing of Personal Information
Mar Thoma Parish, Sharjah does not sell or rent personal information to third parties.
Personal information may be shared with authorised parish representatives, office bearers or relevant church departments when necessary to carry out parish activities and administrative responsibilities.
We may also share information with trusted service providers, such as website hosting and technical support providers, where required to operate and maintain our website.
Information may also be disclosed when required by applicable laws, regulations or lawful requests from competent authorities.
5. Cookies and Website Analytics
Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to improve website functionality, understand visitor activity and enhance the browsing experience.
Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website.
You can manage or disable cookies through your browser settings. Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect some website functionalities.
6. Data Security
We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal information against unauthorised access, disclosure, alteration, loss or misuse.
Access to personal information is restricted to authorised individuals who require it for legitimate parish-related purposes.
However, no method of electronic transmission or storage can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
7. Data Retention
We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected, including parish administration, record keeping and applicable legal requirements.
When personal information is no longer required, we will take reasonable steps to securely delete or dispose of it, subject to applicable record-retention obligations.
8. Third-Party Websites and Services
Our website may contain links to external websites, social media platforms and third-party services for information and convenience.
We are not responsible for the privacy practices, content or security of these external websites. Users are encouraged to review the privacy policies of those websites before sharing any personal information.
9. Children's Privacy
Certain parish activities and programmes, including Sunday School and other children's activities, may require the collection of information relating to children.
Such information should be provided by parents or legal guardians, or collected with their appropriate involvement and consent.
We take reasonable care to ensure that children's personal information is handled appropriately and used only for relevant parish-related purposes.
10. Your Privacy Rights
Subject to applicable laws and regulations, you may have the right to:
- Request information about the personal data we hold about you.
- Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete personal information.
- Request deletion of personal information where legally permissible.
- Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.
- Raise concerns regarding the use of your personal information.
To exercise these rights, please contact the Parish using the contact details provided below.
11. Changes to This Privacy Policy
Mar Thoma Parish, Sharjah reserves the right to update or revise this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, website functionality or applicable legal requirements.
Any updates will be published on this page along with the revised date.
We encourage visitors to review this page periodically.
12. Contact Us
If you have any questions, concerns or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or the handling of your personal information, please contact us:
Mar Thoma Parish, Sharjah
Yarmook Area, Near Progressive School,
P.O. Box 2106, Sharjah,
United Arab Emirates.
Website: https://www.marthomaparishsharjah.com/